The objective of this grant proposal is the collection of comprehensive genome sequence information on rotaviruses of livestock and poultry, as well as of animal species that have been overlooked in past surveillance studies. The existence of virus-host co-evolution is well known for rotaviruses, the genetic bases of periodical host-switching, however, need to be explored. In this context we are also planning to characterize some human rotavirus strains of zoonotic origin. Due to the sequence heterogeneity among different rotavirus strains we plan to employ a sequence independent amplification strategy to obtain full-length genome sequences. The genomic research of rotaviruses may have significant benefits in both basic and applied research. Thus, we may understand the genomic basis of virus-host interactions (such as co-evolution, host switching, virulence), and the large amount of sequence data may help us develop and introduce broadly reactive molecular diagnostic tests as well as genotyping assays useful in the surveillance of rotavirus strains. The potential identification of naturally attenuated animal strains may serve as future vaccine candidate strains that can be utilized in the veterinary medicine.

The objectives of our OTKA research grant (PD76364) have been the collection of epidemiologic information about rotavirus infections in various host species and the determination of genome sequence of selected strains. During the research period over 2000 fecal specimens collected from a variety of animal species were screened for rotaviruses, and the partial or full-length genomes were determined and analyzed for nearly 90 strains to better understand the genetic relationship among different animal and human strains. Also, 11 new host species and 17 novel genotypes of rotaviruses were described. Moreover, the adaptation of a next generation sequencing method was started to make sequencing of full-length rotavirus genomes more cost effective.